Apology for 'do not resuscitate' order on Down's patient welcomed by SPUC Pro-Life

8 December 2015

An apology by an English hospital for a 'do not resuscitate' order on a Down's syndrome patient has been welcomed by SPUC Pro-Life, a leading anti-euthanasia group.

The BBC reported today that the order, placed on the late Andrew Waters in 2011, had listed Down's Syndrome and his learning difficulties among the reasons. The order had been placed without consulting with or informing his family or carers. Mr Waters was later dischaged from hospital and died in May this year. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust accepted that it breached its duty owed to Mr Waters.

Paul Tully, SPUC Pro-Life's general secretary, commented: "We welcome the hospital's apology and its undertaking to prevent such wrongs happening again. It is disturbing that disabled people continue to be threatened with lethal discrimination. We agree with Michael Waters, Andrew's brother, that "people with Down's Syndrome deserve the right to live like you and me". It should be emphasised that the welfare and the right to life of patients should come first regardless of whether or not the patient's family or carers are consulted."